Timing switch and mechanism



Oct. 10, 1939. c 1 ANDERSON 2,175,865

I TIMING SWITCH AND MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 14, 1956 I 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3034 505 3b? aoq a2: 33! 333 335 m m J2) FM.

l/v vnvron CHRL Luowlo fl/vomaou 3 3 505 357 315i an 30! BY flrranlve y Oct. 10, 1939. Q ANDERSQN 2,175,865

TIMING SWITCH AND MECHANISM Original Filed Sept. 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v vew ran (3am Zuprwe fl/vaEnso/v Arramvn Oct. 10, 1939. c, L. ANDERSON 2,175,865

TIMING SWITCH AND IECHANISI 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Sept. 14, 1936 INSULJ TlO/Y INSULIT'ION I0 I 211% a 2 u I vewran 89AM [vow/s 4N0Rsoq Arron/v0 Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES aliases TIMING SWITCH Carl Ludwig Anderson,

AND

Ioline, 11]., amino!- to Eagle Signal Corporation-Molina ill, a corpo- Massachusetts ration of Application September 14, 108., Bllll Not room he. I! 9, 193! scams.

This invention relates to timing switches and mechanism and more particularly to switches embodying facilities for diversely timing the actuation of circuit controlling contacts with so-called micrometer accuracy.

Timing switches constructed in accordance with this invention are well suited for determining the starting,- running and stopp ns times oi motors, groups of motors or the like, especially in instances where accurate determinations of times of occurrences of such activities are neces- An important object of this invention is to provide a timing switch, flexible as to operative characteristios, accurate as to the timing of characteristic occurrences, adjustable over wide ranges in relatively minute units of time, sturdy, compact and simple in design as/ well as durable and reliable.

A further object of this invention is to provide timing switches suited for theaccomplishment of all, of any one or of any group of the foregoing objects, with maximum effectiveness and reliability, and having a minimum number of parts severally characterized by strength. durability, facility of assembly, and amenable to a low cost of manufacture.

Other and more specific objects and advantages will appear in the following description of an iliustrative embodiment of this invention, or will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

Stated briefly, the operation is as follows: A pinion, responsive to a motor acting through a clutch and a train of gears, moves along a stationary threaded axle. A face associated with said pinion is effective upon attainment of a predetermined position on said threaded axle to engage and move a latch controlling a series of contact members.

A second piniomalso movable along the length of said stationary threaded axle, serves as a stop to limit movement of said flrst'pinion in a direc- .tion away from such contact controlling face.

A spring, associated with said gear train, is tensioned when said first pinion is driven by the motor and restores said first pinion to its initial starting position, as determined by the adjustment of the second pinion on the threaded axle, when the clutch disengages the gear train from the driving motor. An electromagnetic operative means is used for engaging and disengaging the clutch and for raising the contact members permitting the latch to be restored to its initial position.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a timing switch embodying a preferred aspect of this invention showing adJusting and contact mechanisms;

I Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the tim- 6 ing switch of Pig. 1 showing certain'adiusting features;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are wiring diagrams schematically indicating certain arrangements of circuits in connection with which the switch of Figs. 1 and 2 may be utilized;

. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are charts diagrammatically indicating operating characteristics of said switch obtainable by circuit arrangements of Figs. 3, 4 and 5; 1

Figs. 9, 10, i1, 12, 13 and 14 are views indicating specific details of construction of said timing switch;

Figs. 15, 16, 1'1 and 18 are detail views more or lus diagrammatically indicating several operative stages of said contact mechanism resultant from various adjustments of said timing switch; and

Figs. 19 and 20 are views indicating other specific details of construction of said timing switch. 3

The embodiment of this invention, as indicated in the accompanying drawings, is adapted to effect diverse conditionings of a plurality of'circuit controlling contacts Ill, I", I05, I01, I and Ill (Fig. l) in automatically or manually initiated timed cycles: the duration of certain of said conditionings being predetermined by adiust'ment of a knob III as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The aforesaid timed cycles of conditionings are, in part, eifected by a synchronous or chronometrically controlled motor H5 (Fig. 9) which acts to rotate a pinion il'l through a clutch comprising disengageable members HI and iii; member H9 being fixed to motor shaft I25 for rotation 40 therewith. A member I23 composed of some friction-aiding material, such as leather. may

be placed between the members lit-III to facilitate intended operation thereof.

Pinion H1 and member iii are loosely Journaled upon shaft I21 together with a shouldered sleeve I29; said sleeve being urged, by a coil spring Iii, along said shaft It! in such direction as to eflect a pressure on clutch member I II tending to carry said clutch member into engagement with clutch member H9.

As will be hereinafter more fully explained, a clutch fork II! is adapted for at times engaging and moving a shoulder I on sleeve in thereby moving said sleeve in a direction effecting com- I pression of spring I3I and permitting disengagement of the clutch members II3-I2I as indicated in Fig. 10.

Inasmuch as the pinion H1 and clutch member I2l rotate on the shaft I21 independently of the sleeve I29 and shoulder I35, the friction between said shoulder I35 and the clutch fork I33 during positioning for clutch disengagement, does not impede the freedom of movement of the pinion II1.

A gear I31 engages pinion II1 for rotation therewith and has an end of a spring I39 secured thereto. Theother end of spring I39 is secured to a frame post I 4|. Thus, as gear -I31 is rotated by motor II5, energy will be stored in the spring I39 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

An actuating pinion I43 has-a threaded journal-orifice for association with a stationary, correspondingly threaded axle I45. Said pinion I43 engages gear I31 and, pursuant to motor driven actuation of said gear, is rotated and thereby axially moved, responsive to its threaded journal, toward a bifurcated contact conditioning lever I41 (see also Fig. 20). v

Bifurcated lever I41 is freely journaled upon axle I45 and is biased by a spring I49 (Fig. 20) for counter-clockwise movement; a stop I5I being provided for limiting such movement.

Rotation of pinion I43 by the motor II5 causes a face I55 associated therewith to engage a corresponding face I53 associated with said lever I41, Further rotation of pinion I43 will then cause rotation of lever I41 in a direction contrary to its bias, whereupon still further rotation of said pinion I 43 will be limited, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Rotation of pinion I43 causing it to move along axle I45 away from lever I41 is limited by an adjustable pinion I51 (Fig. 9). Like pinion I43, pinion I51 has a threaded-Journal association with axle I 45 and has a face I59 for engagement with a corresponding face I6I associated with the end of pinion I43 opposite face I55.

Pinion I51 is adjustably positionable along the length of axle I45 by rotation'of an adjusting pinion I63. Pinion I63 and knob II3 (Fig. 9) are relatively fixed upon a shaft I35 so that rotation of knob I I3 will effect corresponding rotation of pinion I63. When pinion I63 has attained a desired positioning, determined by indicia associated with knob II3 (see also Fig. 1), it may be there secured by tightening the clamping nut I61 against knob II3 as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The utilization of the faces I53, I55, I59 and I 6I in accordance with this invention is of distinct importance in attaining wide-range accurate settings or adjustments of the operating characteristics of a relatively slow moving memher.

In this respect it will be noted that the axial movement of pinion I43, pursuant to one revolution thereof, is but a distance equal to the pitch of the axle thread; however during the aforesaid one revolution the faces I55 and I6! are moved angularly for 360 degrees. Thus when relatively slow axial movement of pinion I 43 in one direction or the other carries either face I55 'or face I GI into the path of respectively associated face I53 or I59 such faces approach and engage one another abruptly at'a relatively high speed.

During disengagement of. clutch members II9I2I, energy stored in spring I39 becomes effective to producecounter-motor-actuated rotation of gear I31 and pinion I 43 (and incidental- 1y of pinion II1) thereby causing said pinion I43 to be moved away from lever I41 and its face I6I to be moved into engagement with face I59 of pinion I51.

In assembly of the mechanism, adequate initial energy is stored in spring I 39 to assure, at all instances of clutch disengagement, substantial urge by gear I31 for effecting counter-motoractuated movement of pinion I43 sufficient for establishing engagement of the faces I59-I6I irrespective of theaxial positioning of pinion I51. It will be observed that energy stored in spring I39 will not deviate other than between predetermined limits as any motor-derived energy delivered to spring I39 incident to movement of pinion I43 in one direction will .be dissipated during like movement of said pinion in the opposite direction.

The conditioning of the clutch II9-I2I as effected by the clutch fork I33 is electromagnetically controlled.

As indicated in Fig. 13 movement of armature I69 is transmitted through link I13, arm I15, rock shaft I11, beam I19, pin I8I, link I83 and pin I to a depending portion I81 of fork I33. A member I09 so pivotally supports fork I33 that counter-clockwise rotative movement of portion I81 causes said fork to effect clutch disengagement and clockwise movement permits clutch engagement.

With structure arranged as indicated in Fig. 13 downward movement of armature I69, responsive to energization of magnet coil I1I, is transmitted through I13-I15-I11-I19-I8 I I83 and I 85 to cause counter-clockwise movement of portion I81 with consequent clutch disengagement. Conversely, upward movement of armature I 69 responsive to the urge of armature spring I during deenergization of coil I1I, effects positioning of fork I33 permitting clutch engagement.

Link I83 may be assembled to interconnect pin I85 with a pin I9I on beam I19, instead of with pin I8I on said beam, whereby such aforesaid downward movement of armature I69 effects clutch engagement and upward movement responsive to the urge of spring I90 effects clutch disengagement. The link is usedin this position for certain operative arrangements hereinafter described,

' As indicated in Fig. 20, lever I41 is subject to clockwise movement for causing a coacting finger I93 to swing an associated latch member I95 to what may be termed unlatched positioning.

Member I95 embodies upstanding projections I91 and I99 and lateral projections MI and 203 for at times variously supporting insulated contact actuating blocks 205, 209, ZII and 2I3 respectively associated with contacts IOI, I 05, I01-I09 and -III and thereby at such times governing the conditioning of said contacts. A projection for contact block 201 and its associated contact I03 is not required as it is supported by contact I03 resting on contact IOI when member I95 is in the contact supporting orlatched position illustrated in Fig. 20.

The actuating blocks 205, 201, 209, III and 2 I3 are respectively supported by a series of arms 2I5 (most clearly exemplified in Fig. 14) which are in turn pivoted upon a shaft 2I1,

A cradle 2I9 is also pivoted on shaft 2I1 and includes a variforrned upturned edge 22I which underlies all the arms 2I5 (see also Fig 17).

A second upturned .edge 223 of said cradle (Fig. 14) is associated with the rearward projections 221 of the various arms 2I5 through a series of compression springs 225, at the opposite side of said shaft 2" from edge 22I whereby the urge of said springs 225 will tend to swing the respective blocks 205, 201, 209, 2 and 2I3 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 14) with the tendency or urge of bringing the arms 2I5 into engagement with the variformed edge 22I as indicated in Fig. 1'7.

A compression spring229 (see'Fig. 2) engages a rearward portion 23I of cradle 2I9 and a side plate 233 of the mechanism. By said spring the entire contact unit comprising cradle U9 and the assembled contacts is urged for counterclockwise movement (as viewed in Fig. 2) to a position where a portion 235 thereof rests upon a projection 231 of said side plate 233.

As best indicated in Fig. 19, in connection with Figs. l3, l4 and 15, clockwise rotation of fork I33 to its clutch-disengaging position causes a lifting rod 239 to be raised, thereby bringing a shoulder 24I thereon into lifting engagement with a portion 243 protruding from cradle 2I9.

During such lifting engagement, each of the actuating blocks and their associated contacts will be supported by the cradle edge 22I at a height sufficient to permit free movement of all projections (I91, I, I99, 203) of latch member I95 underneath respectively associated actuating blocks (205, 209, 2, 2I3) (see Fig. 1'7). Such positioning of parts effected by support of the actuating blocks and their associated contacts by the elevated cradle edge 22I (above the member I95) will, for want of better expression, be hereinafter referred to as elevated positioning".

During unlatched positioning of the latch member I95 (see Fig. 16), occurring after lever I41 has swung member I95 in a clockwise direction as hereinbefore described, contact blocks 205 and 201 are supported by the cradle edge 22I through their arms 2I5, 2I5, and the blocks 209 and 2I3 are respectively supported by the lateral projections MI and 203 of the member I95; block 2 being supported by engagement of its associated contact I01 with contact I05. Such positioning of parts will, for wantof better expression, be hereinafter referred to as unlatched positioning.

Positioning of member I95 fully beneath the several contact blocks, causes all the contacts to be dependent upon member I95 for support. Such positioning of parts will, for want of better expression, be hereinafter referred to as latched positioning.

Positioning of pinion I51 may be limited, in one direction. by abutment thereof against the mechanism front plate 245- (Fig. 9) and in the opposite direction following engagement of face I55 of pinion I43 with face I53 of arm I41.

The plate 245 has a groove 241 formed thereinconcentric with shaft I55.' A ring shaped memher 249 is positioned 'on said front plate concentrio with said shaft I55 and has an annular projection -I for engaging and freely sliding in thegroove 241.

The pinion 255has teeth 259 which extend across the entire face thereof and intermediate teeth 21-I which extend across approximately half of said face. Said pinion 255 is carried by a stud 251 which is journaled in thefront plate 245 for facilitating engagement of all of said teeth with the teeth 253-of the member 249.

The internal gear teeth'2 53', extending almost completely around the inner periphery of the member 249 are suited for meshing with the teeth 259 and 2H of the pinion 255, as just indicated; there being, however, a tooth of extra thickness, with a slight indentation intermediate the circumferential extent thereof at 255, for blocking the rotation of the pinion 255 to prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the knob II3 which would carry the 0" indicia thereof past the 0" indicia of the ring shapedmember 249 when the latter indicia is in ali ment with reference 25I (see Fig. 1) and for preventing clockwise rotation of the knob II3 which would carry the 0" indicia thereon past the 20 indicia of the ring member 249 when said 20 indicia is in alignment with reference 25I.

The disc 259 carried by the knob II3 has a pair of adjacent teeth 253 formed in the periphery thereof for cooperation withboth the teeth 259 and the teeth 2'" of the pinion 255.

- to provide an intermittent gearing drive whereby said member 249 will be rotated through an angular distance corresponding to two of the teeth 253 incidental to each revolution of the knob H3.

The disc 251 is also carried by the knob H3, and is formed and situated for cooperation with the teeth 259 only. As the diameter of disc 251 is larger than disc 259, the pinion 255 cannot be rotated unless a tooth 259 is engaged by the cutaway portion of disc 251 between the teeth 253 of disc 259. This prevents movement of pinion 255 and of ring 249 except when teeth 253 mesh with teeth 259 and 21I, I

As indicated in Fig. l, indicia upon the ringshaped member 249 are indicative of the number of revolutions which knob II3 has been rotated from a fixed reference point and indicia on the knob H3 at 213 (Fig. 9) are indicative of portions of a revolution of said knob from a fixed reference point.

The ratio between pinions I51 and I53, the speed of motor H5 and the gear ratio of train II1--I31-I43 preferably is such that one revolution .of knob 'II3 will move pinion I51 along the threaded axle I45 a distance exactly equal to that which motor II5 will move pinion I43 in precisely one minute of time.

Furthermore, the relative arrangement of the various parts and the applied indicia is such that the pinion I51 may be moved along the threaded axle I45 by rotation of the knob H3, and that the indicia of knob H3 and ring 249 will, for any setting of said knob, berepresentative-of the exact time required for the motor II5, through be preset in divisions of one second, or readily discernible fractions thereof, for durations to and including twenty minutes.

Settings .may be retained by rotating the nut I51 along the threaded end of shaft I55 so as to causethe knob II3 to clamp the ring member 249 against the front plate 245. 1

As best indicated in Fig. 19, lifting rod 239 is pivotedat 215 upon the portion I91 of fork I33. A spring 211 is so applied to rod .239 as to urge rotation thereof such as will swing theshoulder 24I out of the path of the portion 243 .ofcradle 2I9. However, a screw stud219, assembled in the side of thecradle'2l9, is provided for retaining shoulder 24I in :the path of portion 243, which stud 219 may. beremoved for. certain types of service,as will be hereinafter-explained.=

When, as indicated in Fig. 15, the parts of the contact structure are in "latched position contacts IOI-I03 and contacts I09III will be closed while contacts I05-I01 will be open.

During the heretofore described unlatched positioning of the latch member I95 (see Fig. 16), contacts I05-I0l will be closed and contacts IOII03 and I09III will be open.

During the heretofore described elevated positioning oi the contact structure, (see Fig. 17) only contacts I09--I II will be closed.

As indicated in Fig. 18,- a plug "I may be assembled in the cradle 213 in association with the arm 2I5 which supports block 2l3. So assembled such plug forms, in effect, an alteration in the contour of the upturned edge 225 such that, during elevated positioning oi the contact structure, all the contacts will be open.

With parts as thus far described, lifting of the bar 239 will always lift the contact structure; however, in certain operative situations it is desirable that the contact structure shall be lifted responsive to the bar 239 only during unlatched positioning of latch member I95.

In order that the mechanism shown may be satisfactorily employed in such situations, the screw stud 219 is made removable, as already indicated, and a finger 283 is carried by the bar 239 (see Figs. 13, 19 and 20) for cooperation with an extension 285 carried by the latch member I95. Thus, in the absence of said stud 2T9. latch positioning of said latch member will permit said bar 239 to assume a position, responsive to' its spring 211, in which said shoulder I will be withdrawn from beneath portion 243 of cradle 2I9, while unlatched positioning of said latch member I95 will cause extension 285 to act through finger 283 to position bar 239 so that its shoulder I is under said portion 243.

The following description indicates some of the many ways in which the mechanism herein described may be utilized.

For example, assume that such a mechanism is connected to terminals "I, 303, 305, 301, 303 and 3 as indicated in Fig. 3 and that a bridging member 3I3 interconnects terminals 303 and 3I I.

As there indicated, magnet Ill and motor II5 are in parallel current paths across terminals I and 303; contact I03 is connected to terminal 303 and contacts III and I0I-I09 are connected to terminal 305. Contacts I05 and III are respectively connected to terminals 301 and 309 for effecting time control of external circuits as may be desired. A normally opencircuit push button 3I5 is connected across terminals 303 and 305. Conductors 3". 3,", are for connecting a suitable source 01' current supply to terminals MI and 305.

Further assuming that link I33 is Installed to interconnect pins I 35IOI (Fig. 13), that screw stud 219 is installed (Fig.19) and that plug 23I is placed in the cradle 2I9 (Fig. 18); during rest or home" conditioning of the mechanism, clutch II9-I2| (Fig. 9) will be disengaged, pinion I43 will be moved by spring I39 away from arm I41 into engagement with adjusting pinion I51, and the various contacts will be open because of elevated positioning of the cradle and contact structure as indicated in Fig. 18.

If now the knob II3 has been rotated so that the indicia 213 carried thereby and that carried by the ring member 249 is indicative of a desired operating time, and the push button 3 I5 is closed, magnet Ill and motor II5 become energized and,

as indicated in Fig. 15, the contacts assume their latched positioning. The contacts IOI-I03 thus establish a so-called holding path" for maintaining energization of magnet Ill and of motor III. Contacts I09-III are closed during this period and are available for controlling an external circuit. Such latched positioning of contacts will persist for the time indicated by the presetting of the indicia and measured by the motor actuated movement or pinion I43 along axle I45 toward arm I41 (Fig. 9).

At the expiration of the preset time, face I of pinion I43 efiects movement of arm I" to carry latch I95 to its unlatchecl positioning whereupon the various contacts attempt momentarily to assume the condition indicated in Fig. 16 wherein all contacts are open except contacts i05-I 01. However, immediately upon the opening of contacts IOI--I03, magnet Ill and motor II5 become deenergized, clutch II3-I2I opens, pinion I43 moves, responsive to spring I39, into association with pinion I51, and cradle 2I9 assumes elevated positioning and the contacts and mechanism again attain the heretofore mentioned rast" or home" position indicated in Fig. 18.

Since, in the aforedescribed cycle of operation, any attained closure of contacts I05-I0I will be of very short duration, it may be assumed that such cycle of contact conditionings comprises two components, namely an indefinite rest or home period extraneously controlled during which all contacts are open (Fig. 18) and a timed period of preset duration throughout which contacts IOI-I03 and contacts I09-III are respectively closed (Fig. 15).

Such cycle of contacts conditlonings is represented by the chart of Fig. 6 wherein the horizontal lines 323 and 321 represent closed conditioning durations of contacts IOII03 ant; I09-I I I, respectively, the space between vertical lines 329--33I represents the short period of time of elevated positioning of the contacts during which push button 3I5 is held closed, the space between lines 329333 represents the timed move ment eflected by pinion I43 during latched positioning oi the contacts and the space between lines 333 335 represents the indefinite time of unlatched, open-circuit conditioning of the contacts.

With all parts installed and assembled as heretofore described but with bridging member 3I3 removed and with a normally closed push button 32I replacing normally open push button 3I5, all as indicated in Fig. 4, the operative cycle of the contacts becomes as indicated by the chart of Fig. 7; such cycle being initiated by opening the contacts of push button 32I. In this chart the horizontal line 325 represents closed circuit conditioning of contacts I05--I0l. The space between vertical lines 329-33I represents the duratlon of elevated positioning of the contacts during which push button 32I is held open. 'The space between lines 38I-333 represents the timed movement effected by pinion I43 during latched conditioning of the contacts and the space between lines 333-435 represents the indefinite tduration of unlatched conditioning of the conacts.

With the circuit arrangement as indicated in connection of pins l8il85, by removing screw stud 219 and by utilizing a normally open push button 3l5 (Fig. 5). With such arrangement the contact conditioning cycle will be as indicated by the chart of Fig. '7. If, in addition, the plug 28! is also removed, the contact conditioning cycle will be as indicated by the chart of Fig. 8.

In those instances here described wherein a normally closed push button is utilized, in case of power failure at conductors 3li-3l9 the mechanism will revert to its rest or home position, so as to require manual actuation of the push button 32! after restoration of power supply to effect resumption of cyclic activity. Such is also the case in the first instance described where a normally open push button is utilized and the link I83 interconnects pins I85 and Hi.

In the last instances wherein link I83 interconnects pins I8l|85, and either screw stud 219 or both stud 219 and plug 28! are removed, the mechanism will not, in case of power failure, revert to its starting position but will resume its unfinished cycle when power is restored, without supplemental push button actuation.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a timing switch,a plurality of circuit conditioning members involving a pair of contacts one of which is biased for movement toward circuit closing position and the other for movement toward circuit opening position and a triplicity of contacts having one contact biased for movement away from a second and toward a third contact, said second contact being biased for movement toward and said third being biased for movement away from said one contact of said triplicity; a latch member movable against a bias from one to another position and associated with said circuit conditioning members for supporting certain of said contacts in latched positions during one latch member positioning and for supporting certain others of said contacts in unlatched positions during another latch member positioning; a supporting cradle for said contacts movable for supporting said contacts exclusive of said latch member; a threaded axle having a fixed and an adjustable limit thereon; an actuating pinion having a threaded engagement with said axle and revoluble for effecting movement thereof along said axle between said limits; motor means associated with said pinion for effecting rotation thereof for relatively slowly moving said pinion into engagement with .said fixed limit; means responsive to engagement of said pinion and said fixed limit for effecting relatively rapid movement of said latch member from said one to said other position; means for storing energy responsive to motor means activity of said pinion; means operable for disassociating said motor from said pinion and for moving said cradle into contact supporting relationship permissive of bias urged movement of said latch member; and means I responsive to activity of said operable means for rendering effective said energy storing means for causing movement of said pinion away from said fixed limit into engagement with said adjustable limit.

2. In a timing switch,a plurality of circuit conditioning members including a pair of contacts one of which is biased for movement toward circuit closing position and the other biased for movement toward circuit opening position and including a triplicity of contacts one of which is biased for movement away from a second and toward a third of said triplicity of contacts, said second contact being biased for movement toward said one of said triplicity and said third biased for movement away from said one of said triplie ity; a latch member movable from one to another position for diversely conditioning said pair and said triplicity of contacts; a synchronous motor; a gear train driven by said motor; a clutch interposed between said motor and said train; a pinion included in said gear train and, responsive to rotation thereof, movable along its axis between a fixed and an adjustable stop; means for varying the distance between said fixed and said adjustable stops; means responsive to engagement between said pinion and said fixed stop for effecting movement of said latch; a spring associated with said gear train for tensioning pursuant to latch moving activity of said pinion and means including electromagnetic structure for at times effecting released conditioning of said clutch whereby said spring eflects rotative and axial movement of said pinion away from said fixed stop and toward said adjustable stop.

3. In a timing switch,the combination of a plurality of current path circuit controllers each having operable circuit opening and closing members; latch means effective for supporting said members in one relationship; means permitting bias urged attainment of another circuit member relationship involving means for rendering said latch means ineffective, said last named means comprising an actuating member having a relatively slow component of movement and a relatively fast component of movement from an initial rest position and having a terminating position therefor; chronometrically controlled motor means for effecting both and controlling the speed of one of said component movements; an actuating part for operation by said motor means responsive to attainment of said terminating position by said actuating member for moving said latch means to an ineffective position; manual means for preestablishing the extent of one of said actuating member movement components whereby to determine the duration of said one circuit member relationship; means for restoring effectiveness of said one circuit member relationship following attainment of said other circuit member relationship, for restoring said latch member to supporting position and for restoring substantially instantaneously said actuating member to its initial rest position; and means effecting a third circuit member relationship incidental to activity of said last named restoring means.

4. A timing switch having, in combination, preconditioned mechanism comprising a plurality of bias urged contact members, latch means effective for maintaining said contact members positioned contrary to their bias, actuating means operable contrary to a bias for rendering said latch means ineffective, time controlled means for operating said actuating means, said time controller means comprising a timing member biased toward a starting position and axially movable therefrom responsive to rotation thereof into operable relationship with said actuating means, chronometric means adapted for at times rotating said timing member, means responsive to operable relationship of said timing member with said actuating means for rendering effective rotative movement of said timing member for operating said actuating means to render said latch means ineflectlve, adjusting means for predetermining said starting position of said timing member whereby to predetermine the time duration occurrmg durhg movement of said timing member from its starting position to its actuating-means-operating position, and means for restoring preconditioning of said mechanism.

5. Timing mechanism having, in combination, a threaded axle, a pinion having a threaded journal-oriflce therethrough and axially movable along said axle between a fixed and an adjustable limit responsive to rotation thereof, time governed power means associated for rotating said pinion whereby to eflfect relatively slow axial movement thereof into engagement with one of said limits, means associated with said one of said limits for actuation'consummating a timed operation, means associated with said pinion for effecting relatively fast actuation of said consummating means responsive to engagement of said pinion'with said one limit, means for disassociating said power means from said pinion, and means for moving said pinion out of engagement with said one limit and into engagement with the other of said limits.

6. In a timing switch, circuit controlling contacts having a normal relationship, motor means, means associated with said motor means and movable thereby from one to the other of two limits at a predetermined speed, means responsive to movement of said associated means while adjacent to one of said limits for effecting alteration of said contact relationship, manually presettable means for changing the position atom of said limits whereby to change the required time duration for movement ofsaid associated means from said one to the other of said limits, said changing means involving an indicia bearing k'nob, an associated indicia bearing member, and an in termittent gearing connection between said knob and said member whereby their indicia will indicate the extent of rotation of said knob.

7. In a timing switch, the combination of a plurality of switches each including a movable contact member, actuating means including a pinion having threaded engagement with a threaded axle and an actuating face rendered efiective responsive to axial movement of said pinion for eifecting movements of said movable contact members from one condition to another condition following continuance of said one condition for a predetermined duration of time, power means, power transmitting mechanism interposed between said power means and said actuating means for rotating the latter and thereby eifecting axial movement thereof, a spring associated with the said mechanism arranged for storing energy during the rotation of the actuating means by the power means, and means for releasing the stored energy to restore said actuatingl means to its initial position along the threaded ax e. 8. A timing switch comprising a plurality of actuatable circuit governing contacts in combination with a part involving a threaded axle, and a rotatable member having a threaded orifice journaled upon said axle and movable from a variable predetermined starting position to a fixed contact actuating position, means for storing energy during movement of said part to contact actuating position and means rendering said stored energy. effective for restoring said part to its variable predetermined starting position.

9. A timing mechanism having, in combination, a member actuatable after the expiration of a predetermined timeinterval, a threaded axle, a pinion having a threaded journal-orifice for engaging said axle, time controlled means for rotating said pinion whereby to eflect axial movement thereof into engagement with said member,

means associated with said pinion and responsive to engagement thereof with said member for rendering rotative movement of said pinion effective for actuating said member, means for storing energy during the movement of said pinion to the actuating position, means for rendering stored energy effective for restoring said pinion to its variable predetermined stopping position, and means for adjusting said stopping position comprising, in part, a rotatable dial and an associated indicia bearing member having a gearing connection with said dial for movement of said dial.

10. A switching mechanism having, in combination, contacts, a threaded axle, a member r0- tatable upon said axle and engaging the thread thereof, means for eifecting actuation 0! said contacts responsive to rotation of said member in one direction upon attainment of a predetermined axial position, driving means, including an electro-responsive means and an intervening clutch, for rotating said member and thereby e1- fecting axial movement thereof toward said predetermined position, means yieldingly urging rotation of said member in a direction for eifecting axial movement thereoi away from said predetermined position, and manually presettable means for variously establishing extents of rotation of said member in said second named direction.

11. A switching mechanism having, in combination, means for actuating a plurality of circuit governing contacts, a threaded axle, a pinion having a threaded journal orifice for engaging said axle, rotative means for rotating said pinion whereby to effect axial movement thereof into engagement with the first named means, means associated with said pinion and responsive to engagement of said pinion associated means with said first named means for rendering rotative movement of said pinion eifective for actuating said first named means, and means for restoring said pinion to a predetermined position on said axle independently of said rotative means.

12. In a timing mechanism controlled by a switch for closing an electric circuit, the combination of a plurality of circuit-closing means; a threaded axle; a member revolvable upon said axle and engaging the thread thereof; means for effecting actuation of said circuit-closiiig means to an open or closed condition responsive to rotation of said member in one direction and upon attainment of a predetermined axial position by said member; a driving means for rotating said member; a connecting means between said driving means and said member comprising, in part, a clutch; an electromagnet responsive to closure of said control switch to cause said clutch to become engaged to connect the driving means with said member; a positioning means for normally positioning certain of said circuit-closing means in an open position and responsive to actuation of said electromagnet for positioning certain of said means in a closed position, one of said closed circuit-closing means being adapted to complete a holding circuit for said electromagnet during the timing interval; and means for storing energy during the rotative movement of said pinion by said driving means, the said stored energy being effective to return said member to its initial position along the threaded axle when the actuating means reacts to open certain of said circuitclosing means.

13. In a timing mechanism controlled by an electric switch, the combination of a plurality of circuit-closing means; an operable means which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse of a predetermined period of time for opening or closing the said circuit-closing means; a positioning means for positioning said circuit-closing means in an unresponsive relation with said operable means; a threaded axle; a member revolvable upon said axle and engaging the thread thereof and effective, upon reaching a predetermined axial position, for operating said operable means; a motor; connecting means between said member and said motor, including, in part, a clutch normally disengaged; an electromagnet operatively connected with said positioning means and responsive to closure of said switch, the said electromagnet, when energized, moving said positioning means so that said circuit-closing means is in a responsive relation with said operable means and moving said clutch to an engaged relation to render the revolvable member responsive to the motor; and a spring restoring means for returning said member to its initial position when the said electromagnet is deenergized.

14. In a timing mechanism controlled by an electric switch; operable means which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse of a predetermined period of time; a threaded axle; a member revolvable upon said axle and engaging the thread thereof and effective upon reaching a predetermined axial position for operating said operable means; a motor; connecting means be tween said member and said motor whereby the movement of said member in one direction is controlled by said motor; spring means for restoring said member; limiting means comprising, in part; a movable stop for determining the extent of the restoring movement of said member; means for adjusting the position of the limiting means; and means responsive to closure of said control switch for releasing the connecting means between said member and said motor for permitting the spring-return movement of said member to the position along the axle as determined by the position of said stop.

15. In a timing mechanism controlled by an electric switch; operable means which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse of a predetermined period of time; a threaded axle; a member revolvable upon said axle, engaging the thread thereof, and effective, upon reaching a predetermined axial position, foroperating said operable means; a motor; connecting means between said member and said motor whereby the movement of said member in one direction is controlled by said motor; spring means for restoring said member to the starting position for its motorcontrolled movement; and means for releasing the connecting means between said motor and said member upon closure of said control switch for permitting the return movement of said member.

16. In a timing switch, a circuit controller for opening or closing an electric circuit, an operable means which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, the said circuit controller being during timing operation held in a circuit-closing position by the operable means, a movable member for operating said operable means, a driving motor, a connecting means between said movable member and said driving motor, an electromagnetically operated means for controlling the said connecting means between said member and said driving motor, a restoring means to return said movable member to the starting position of its motor-controlled movement, and a positioning means controlled by said electromagnetic means for positioning said circuit controller in an unobstructing position in relation to said operable means to permit the return of said operable means to its normal position, the said positioning means being responsive to said electromagnet only after the operable means has been operated by the movable member.

1'7. In a time-controlled mechanism, a timing motor, operable means which it is desired shall be operated after the lapse of a predetermined period of time, a threaded axle, a member revolvable upon said axle and engaging the thread thereof and efl'ective upon reaching a predetermined axial position for operating said operable means, means whereby the rate of movement of said member in one direction is controlled by said motor, spring means for returning said member after its motor-controlled movement, athreaded stop revolvable upon said axle for limiting said return movement to predetermine the extent of the motor-controlled movement, a calibrated dial member, a gearing connection between said stop and said dial whereby rotation of said dial rotates said threaded stop about the threaded axle, and an indicia-bearlng member associated with said dial for indicating the number of revolutions that the said dial is turned.

18. In a timing switch, the combination of contact switch members, one of said members being biased toward a circuit closing position and another of said members being biased toward a circuit-opening position; an electromagnet; a member operated by said magnet for lifting said contact members against their bias; tripping means for holding the contact members against their bias; timing means; means effective upon the expiration of a predetermined time interval for moving said tripping means away from the holding position for said contact members, permitting them to assume their bias-urged position; a stop for limiting the bias-urged movement of said members; and means to restore said tripping member to its holding position when the gontact members are lifted by the lifting mem- 19. In a switching mechanism, the combination comprising an externally threaded member, an internally threaded member in screw-threaded engagement therewith, actuating means for effecting actuation of a plurality of circuit contacts having a portion of said actuating means positioned to be actuated by one of said members, rotative means for producing relative rotation between said members whereby said one of said members is moved into position to actuate s'aid actuating means, drive means operatively connecting said rotative means and said one of said members, and means responsive to actuation of said actuating means by said one of said members for disengagingsaid drive means.

20. In a switching mechanism, the combination comprising a threaded axle, a pinion in screwthreaded engagement with said axle, actuating means for effecting actuation of a plurality of circuit contacts having a portion of said actuating means positioned to be actuated by said pinion, rotative means for relatively rotating said pinion and axle whereby said pinion is moved into position to actuate said actuating means, drive means operatively connecting said rotative means ,and said pinion, means responsive to actuation of said actuating means by said pinion for disengaging said drive means, and spring means to move said pinion along said axle when said drive means is disengaged and in the opposite direction from which it is moved by said drive means.

21. In a switching mechanism, the combination comprising an externally threaded member, an internally threaded member therewith engaging for movement therealong upon rotation of the second member, a driving means for rotating saidsecond member in one direction, a clutch through which said drive means rotates said second member and operative to disengage said means and said second member, and an actuated means in a predetermined operatively fixed position longitudinally of the first member actuated in response to rotative movement of said second member.

22. In a switching mechanism, the combination comprising an externally threaded member, an internally threaded member therewith engaging for movement of one of said members along the other upon rotation of said one of said members, a driving means for rotating said one of said members in one direction, a clutch through which said drive means rotates said one of said members and operates to disengage said one of said members and said drive means, and

an actuated means actuated responsive to rota-- tive movement of said one of said members positioned in a predetermined operatively fixed position along the line of movement.

23. In a switching mechanism, the combination comprising an externally threaded member, an internally threaded member therewith engaging for movement therealong upon rotation of the second member, a driving means for rotating said second member in one direction, a clutch through which said drive means rotates said second member and operative to disengage said means and said second member, an actuated means in a predetermined operatively fixed position longitudinally oi the first member actuated in response to rotative movement of said second member, and means yieldingly urging rotation of said second member in a direction away from said actuated means operative upon disengagement of said clutch.

24. In a switching mechanism, the combination comprising an externally threaded member, an internally threaded member therewith engaging for movement therealong upon rotation of said second member, a driving means for rotating said second member in one direction, a clutch through which said drive means rotates said second member and operative to disengage said means and said second member, an actuated means in a predetermined operatively fixed position longitudinally of the first member actuated in response to rotative movement of said second member, means yieldingly urging rotation of said second member in a direction away from said actuated means operative upon disengagement of said clutch, a stop for limiting movement of said second member under operation of said second means, and means to adjust the spacing ,of said actuated means and said stop along said first member.

25. A switching mechanism, comprising a plurality of cooperating pairs of switch elements, controlling means to control the conditioning of said pairs and upon actuation of said controlling means to change the circuit conditioning of said pairs, holding means to hold said elements in a position non-responsive to said controlling means and to control the circuit conditioning of said pairs while in such position, a motor, common means to initiate motor controlled actuation of said controlling means and to render said holding means ineffective for holding, said controlling means including a member rotatable by said motor and a spring to effect rotation of said member in the opposite direction from that in which it is driven by said motor, and a pair of stop-members cooperating with said member and between which said member rotates, one of said stops being adjustable to vary the extent of rotation of said member between said stops, termination of rotation by contact of said member with one of said stops to which it is driven by said motor effecting change of the circuit conditioning of at least one of said pairs by said controlling means.

26. A switching mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs'of cooperating switch elements, controlling means to control the circuit oonditioning of said pairs of switch elements when said contacts are in responsive relation thereto and upon actuation of said controlling means in one direction to change the circuit conditioning of at least one of said pairs, said one of said pairs, when said elements are in responsive relation to said controlling means, after actuation of said controlling means, preventing movement of said controlling means in a direction opposed to the movement thereof during actuation, means for moving said controlling means in said pposed direction when said elements are in a position non-responsive to said controlling means, holding means to move said elements into and to hold said elements in said position nonresponsive to said controlling means, a motor, and common means to initiate motor controlled actuation of said controlling means and to render said holding means ineffective for holding.

CARL LUDWIG ANDERSON. 

